Blog

Blackwater River Canoe Trail - 07/21/2008

The Blackwater River Canoe Trail is officially designated as part of Florida's Statewide System of Greenways and Trails. Located in the middle of Florida's Western Highlands, this 31-mile canoe trail flows through the Blackwater River State Forest. Cedar, maple, and cypress trees often form a dense canopy over the river. There are also some high bluffs where pine and cedar trees tower above the paddler. The water is a dark, tannin-stained color. The Creek Indians called the river "Oka Lusa" (water-black). Along the bends, white sandbars provide a perfect place for camping or picnicking. The trail provides opportunity to observe wildlife including deer, turkey and bobcat. The Mississippi Kite soars overhead in the summer. Fishing can be an enjoyable addition to the trip. This panhandle trail ends at the Deaton Bridge, in Blackwater River State Park.** Please note that the river is non-navigable beyond Deaton Bridge at the State Park.

The river level fluctuates rapidly following heavy local rains. Check local weather conditions before beginning your trip. The upper part of the river is fairly swift-flowing and requires some paddling experience.

AccessKennedy Bridge - Take Hwy 90 from Crestview to SR 4. Take SR 4 north to State Forest Road (SFR) 47, the first paved road past Cotton Bridge. Turn right on SFR 47 and head north to the next paved road, SFR 31. Follow SFR 31 about 2 miles north to SFR 24, the dirt road at Hurricane Lake sign. Follow SFR 24 to the bridge.

Peadon Bridge - Same as above to SFR 47. About 2.5 miles north of SFR 47, turn east on first dirt road on right (SFR 50) and continue to bridge. (6 miles)

Cotton Bridge, SR 4 - Four miles northwest of Baker. (5 miles)

Bryant Bridge, SFR 21 - From US 90 at Harold, take SFR 23 north five miles through the Blackwater River State Park to four way stop at SFR 86. Turn right (east) and continue to SFR 21, which leads southeast to bridge. (12 miles)

Blackwater River State Park - From US 90 at Harold, take SFR 23 north three miles to Deaton Bridge within the Park. (8 miles)There may be access points (both public and private) in addition to those listed here. Please remember that some sites require a fee for launching and /or parking.

Blackwater River State Forest-Jackson Red Ground Trail - 07/21/2008

The Blackwater River State Forest offers a natural retreat set amidst the beautiful rolling hills of northwest Florida. Reaching from Conecuh National Forest along the Alabama border toward Eglin Air Force Base, this state forest is Florida's largest at nearly 190,000 acres. The forest is characterized by its many streams, including the namesake Blackwater River, that flow gently south as they make their way to the Gulf of Mexico. Certified as a segment of the Florida National Scenic Trail, the Jackson Red Ground Trail retraces one of the earliest trade routes of Indians and settlers in Florida. Also, be sure to visit the Sweetwater, Bear Lake and Jackson Trails.

Trail Length/Surface:Jackson Red Ground is 21.5 miles from end to end, unpaved

Fee: Fees apply in some areas. Please contact the Division of Forestry for details.

Counties: Okaloosa, Santa RosaNearby Cities: Munson, Crestview

Notes:Jackson Red Ground Trail is blazed orange, and is a segment of the Florida National Scenic Trail. The Florida Trail Association (FTA) produces a detailed hiking guide and segment-by-segment maps which are very useful for hiking the Florida National Scenic Trail. For more information, visit FTA's website at http://www.florida-trail.org/index.htm or call 1-877-HIKEFLA.Three connecting trails are also shown on the map (Sweetwater, Bear Lake and the Wiregrass trail south of Hurricane Lake) are part of the Florida Division of Forestry's Trailwalker Program. This program offers recognition awards for hiking designated trails in state forests throughout Florida. For more information, contact the office below or visit the program's website (www.fl-dof.com/Recreation/Trailwalker/index.html).

Access/Directions:Red Rock Road Area (main access for Jackson Red Ground Trail)From I-10, take the Avalon Boulevard Exit (Exit 22). Follow Avalon Boulevard to US 90. Take a right and continue to Burger King. Take a left at Stuart Street (Hwy 87). Go to Milton High School. Take a right across from Milton High School onto Hwy 191. Follow Hwy 191 north to Red Rock Road at Spring Hill. Take a right on Red Rock Road and proceed to the Red Rock Primitive Area/Canoe Launch. Trail crosses Red Rock Road .3 miles to the east. The south end of Jackson Red Ground Trail begins at the road crossing -- proceed north to enter this portion of the trail. The trail segment south of this crossing is the Juniper Creek Trail.

Krul Recreation Area (main access for Sweetwater Trail)From I-10, take the Avalon Boulevard Exit (Exit 22). Follow Avalon Boulevard to US 90. Take a right and continue to Burger King. Take a left at Stuart Street (Hwy 87). Go to Milton High School. Take a right across from Milton High School on Hwy 191. Follow for approximately 20 miles to the Munson crossroads (Hwy 191 and SR 4). Take a right on SR 4 and continue for .7 miles to the Krul Recreation Area sign. Go to kiosk at day use parking lot.

Bear Lake Recreation Area (main access for Bear Lake Loop Trail)From I-10, take the Avalon Boulevard Exit (Exit 22). Follow Avalon Boulevard to US 90. Take a right and continue to Burger King. Take a left at Stuart Street (Hwy 87). Go to Milton High School. Take a right across from Milton High School on Hwy 191. Follow for approximately 20 miles to Munson crossroads (Hwy 191 and SR 4). Take a right on SR 4 and continue for 2.5 miles to the Bear Lake Recreation Area sign. Go to kiosk in campground for information

Shoal River Canoe Trip - 07/21/2008

Shoal River Canoe TrailThe Shoal River Canoe Trail is officially designated as part of Florida's Statewide System of Greenways and Trails. Twisting and turning through a remote part of the western Panhandle, the Shoal River trail covers 27 miles. Few indications of civilization are evident as you paddle through forests of maple, oak, gum, and cypress. Along the trail, creeks broaden into small lily-covered pools that provide excellent fishing. Sandbars along the bends of the river make good campsites. This narrow river is usually 3-4 feet deep, and water levels do not generally fluctuate more than 3 feet.

Notes and Precautions Between Access 1 and 2, there are two wooden bridges that collect debris which can be dangerous, especially at high water. The end of the trail is on the northern boundary of the Eglin Air Force Base Reservation. Obtain a base recreation permit if you plan to enter the reservation. Information about permits can be obtained by calling (850) 882-4164 or writing Eglin National Resources, 107 Highway 85 North, Niceville, FL 32578. You can continue seven miles past the takeout at SR 85 to the junction with the Yellow River, another state canoe trail.

AccessSR 285 Bridge - 3.5 miles north of US 90 / SR 285 junctionSR 393 Bridge - About 3 miles north of SR 393 / US 90 intersection. (10 miles)US 90 Bridge - 4 miles east of Crestview. (8 miles)SR 85 Bridge - At wayside park, 5 miles south of Crestview. (9 miles)There may be access points (both public and private) in addition to those listed here. Please remember that some sites require a fee for launching and/or parking.

Blackwater River State Forest Wiregrass Trail - 07/21/2008

The Blackwater River State Forest offers a natural retreat set amidst the beautiful rolling hills of northwest Florida. Reaching from Conecuh National Forest along the Alabama border toward Eglin Air Force Base, this state forest is Florida's largest at nearly 190,000 acres. The forest is characterized by its many streams, including the namesake Blackwater River, that flow gently south as they make their way to the Gulf of Mexico. Located in the northern extent of the state forest, the Wiregrass Trail is certified as a segment of the Florida National Scenic Trail and a portion is included in the Division of Forestry's Trailwalker Program. Among its highlights, the trail takes hikers through part of one of the largest remaining stands of longleaf pine/wiregrass natural community found anywhere.

Click here for a printer-friendly version (PDF 364k)

Major Activities

Trail Length/Surface:12.7 miles from end to end, unpaved

Fee: None

Counties: Okaloosa, Santa Rosa

Nearby Cities: Munson, Crestview

Notes:The hiking trail is blazed orange. Heading northwest from the North Hurricane Lake Recreation Area, the trail is 6.4 miles to the terminus at the Alabama border. Heading southeast, it is 6.3 miles to the Jackson Red Ground Trail, which is a continuation of the Florida National Scenic Trail.

The Florida Trail Association (FTA) produces a detailed hiking guide and segment-by-segment maps which are very useful for hiking the Florida National Scenic Trail. For more information, visit FTA's website at http://www.florida-trail.org/ or call 1-877-HIKEFLA.

The 6.3 mile segment from Hurricane Lake to Jackson Red Ground Trail is part of the Division of Forestry's Trailwalker Program. This program offers recognition awards for hiking designated trails in state forests throughout Florida. For more information, contact the office below or visit the program's website (www.fl-dof.com/Recreation/Trailwalker/index.html) .

Directions/Access:North Hurricane Lake Recreation AreaFrom Munson, head east on SR 4 2.8 miles to Hurricane Lake Road. Turn left onto Hurricane Lake Road (which eventually becomes Beaver Creek Road) and continue north 8.6 miles to Bullard Church Road. Turn right and continue 1.1 miles to Nichols Road. Take a right and continue to the recreation area. Go to the kiosk in the campground.

From Crestview, head west on US 90 to the intersection with SR 4. Take a right on SR 4 and follow to Hurricane Lake Road. Turn right onto Hurricane Lake Road (which eventually becomes Beaver Creek Road) and continue north 8.6 miles to Bullard Church Road. Turn right and continue 1.1 miles to Nichols Road. Take a right and continue to the recreation area. Go to the kiosk in the campground.

If coming from I-10, take the Avalon Boulevard Exit (Exit 22). Follow Avalon Boulevard to US 90. Take a right and continue to Burger King. Take a left at Stuart Street (Hwy 87). Go to Milton High School. Take a right across from Milton High School on Hwy 191. Follow for approximately 20 miles to Munson crossroads (Hwy 191 and SR 4). Follow directions from Munson above.

Coldwell Banker wins the Innovator of the year award - 05/20/2008

Beginning May 15th, 2008, Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, the 2007 Inman News' Innovator of the Year winner in the brokerage/franchise category, became the first national full-service real estate company to distribute its listings to a GPS device. Coldwell Banker worked with Dash Navigation Inc., the first GPS provider to have an Internet connected GPS device and deliver Web-based content directly to the GPS.Just as Coldwell Banker now feeds listings to such Web sites as Google, Yahoo, Trulia and others, brand listings from around the U.S. will now be fed to DASH users by accepting the Coldwell Banker feed via their "myDash" personalized Web site. Listings then automatically load on their Dash navigation device."We have been waiting for the day to deliver our listings to GPS users and are thrilled that the Dash Express has finally opened that door to us," said Michael Fischer, senior vice president of marketing for Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. "Our relationship with Dash is a natural progression in our effort to have consumers engage with Coldwell Banker at every turn so that when the time comes to enter the market they are apt to collaborate with a Coldwell Banker sales associate. "The Coldwell Banker feed, now exclusive to Dash, allows consumers to call up Coldwell Banker listings, map them, get directions and view other Coldwell Banker listings in close proximity.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Truly priced to sell, this is a one-of-a-kind building great for investing in the rapidly growing Crestview area. With a perfect location in downtown Crestview's revitalized "Florida Main Street" state-designated historic district, this two-story circa 1925 landmark was built as a hotel with eleven rooms on the second floor which were converted into office space. It is situated thirty miles from the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico, near Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Pensacola & Navarre on the I-10 corridor in the fastest growing city of its size in the entire state; also near aerospace hub of Eglin Air Force Base with rapid growth due to BRAC realignment. The first floor has two separate storefronts, one of which is currently a doctor's office and will relocate or continue with a lease. This storefront features terrazo flooring. The entire second floor has clear-coated tongue-and-groove heart of pine walls and ten-foot ceilings with exposed "Chicago Brick" on the outer facing walls. The second floor also includes a full kitchen, tiled floors, a gas range, crown molding and trim on all 17 second-story windows and solid wood custom cabinets as well as hand-built custom carpentry with cypress, cedar, and pine throughout. Each room has a ceiling fan. The second-floor bath features a custom-built tiled shower. There is a 420 square foot deck off the second floor as well. The exterior is all brick with new hurricane-insulated windows and 2 new insulated and tinted storefront windows. These are the all new 2000-2005 mechanicals: new A/C and heat pumps, electrical wiring, plubming, CAT5 data/telephone lines and amplified digital cable to current code in every room. This property need to be seen to be truly appreciated. It is ideal for office space or a restaurant/bar. A unique piece of property you don't want to miss. Owner may finance for qualified buyer.